Several artists scheduled to support Ed Sheeran on his US stadium tour have pulled out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore after he was removed from the lineup over his comments about Israel and Palestine.
Sheeran’s opening acts, including American musician Finneas, Danish band Lukas Graham and Irish singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe, announced their departures after Sheeran said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by tour organisers.
Members of Sheeran’s own touring band, Beoga, have also left the tour.
The withdrawals followed Sheeran’s statement on Tuesday distancing himself from Macklemore’s removal.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram.
Sheeran said stadium owners at some upcoming US dates had threatened not to host future shows featuring Macklemore. He said he tried to find a solution involving the artists, promoters and venues, but the decision was ultimately made by the organisers.
Macklemore said on Monday that he had been dropped after speaking about the Israel-Palestinian conflict during a September 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The rapper told the audience that he wanted to use his platform to call for a “Free Palestine” and said he wanted Palestinians to know they had not been forgotten.
He also addressed Jewish audiences, saying criticism of Israel and opposition to its actions should not be viewed as criticism of Jewish people.
Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at eight of the 10 remaining dates on Sheeran’s US stadium tour, which is due to resume in Philadelphia on September 19.
On Wednesday, he announced that he would donate $1 million from his earnings to Palestinian relief organisations.
Sheeran said he opposed the conflict but wanted his concerts to remain spaces focused on music rather than political debate.
“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict.”
He added that remaining publicly silent about the conflict did not mean he was indifferent or lacked personal views.
Sheeran said he respected Macklemore’s decision to speak publicly but believed people could pursue peace in different ways.
“Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum,” he said. “However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace.”
Finneas said artists should be able to speak about oppression without being silenced.
“Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed,” he said.
Rowe and Beoga also referred to Ireland’s history of colonisation in explaining their decisions to support Macklemore.
Other public figures, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, have also expressed support for Macklemore.
The rapper has also faced criticism. Singer Pink, who is Jewish, was among those who argued that his remarks could put Jewish and pro-Israel people at events at risk.
Critics have also pointed to a 2014 Macklemore performance in which he wore a costume that was accused of using antisemitic stereotypes. He later apologised for the incident.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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